The Best Outdoor Speakers for 2026: Installed, Wi-Fi and Portable Picks
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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Music turns a patio into a place you want to stay outside. Outdoor speakers come in three kinds: wired speakers mounted under the eaves and powered by an amplifier indoors, Wi-Fi speakers that join your home audio system, and rugged portable Bluetooth speakers you carry to the pool.
Our picks are based on Tom’s Guide’s October 2026 guide, tested in its reviewers’ own backyards, plus RTINGS, Forbes Vetted and Stuff. We haven’t tested these speakers ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Quick answer: for a permanent patio setup, the Polk Atrium 4, powered by a streaming amp like the WiiM Amp, is the best outdoor speaker for most homes. Get the Klipsch AW-650 for big bass. If you’d rather not run wires, the Sonos Play is the best Wi-Fi option, and the Bose SoundLink Max and JBL Flip 6 are the best portables for the pool.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Type | Best for | Weatherproofing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk Atrium 4 (pair) | Wired, installed | Best overall | IP66 |
| Polk Atrium 6 | Wired, installed | More bass, still discreet | All-weather |
| Klipsch AW-650 (pair) | Wired, installed | Biggest installed bass | Weatherproof, UV-resistant |
| Sonos Play | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth portable | Best Wi-Fi speaker | IP67 |
| Bose SoundLink Max | Bluetooth portable | Premium portable | IP68 |
| JBL Flip 6 | Bluetooth portable | Poolside | IP67 |
Specs from Tom’s Guide, Forbes Vetted and Stuff.
The best outdoor speakers
1. Polk Atrium 4: best overall installed speaker
Best for: covered patios and decks where you want permanent, discreet sound.
Tom’s Guide’s top outdoor speaker mounts under the eaves facing down. Its reviewers found it delivers a large, crisp soundstage that carries over wind and outdoor noise. It’s rated IP66, handles temperature swings, includes mounting hardware and has 80 watts of output. Polk has sold the design largely unchanged since 2005, a good sign of how well it holds up.
The one weakness is bass, though Tom’s Guide says it still has more low end than similar speakers from other brands. These are passive speakers, so you need an amplifier indoors and speaker wire through the wall. Tom’s Guide recommends the WiiM Amp (about $250), which streams Spotify and other services directly.
Pros
- Crisp, wide sound
- Discreet size
- IP66 weatherproofing
- Proven for 20 years
Cons
- Light on bass
- Needs an amplifier and wiring
2. Polk Atrium 6: best value with more bass
Best for: bigger patios that need fuller sound.
Forbes Vetted calls the Atrium 6 the strongest value among wired patio speakers, with rich bass, all-weather certification and mounting hardware included. Tom’s Guide also points people who want more low end than the Atrium 4 to the bigger Atrium models. Like the 4, it needs an amplifier.
Pros
- Richer bass than the Atrium 4
- All-weather certified
- Mounting hardware included
Cons
- Larger
- Needs an amplifier
3. Klipsch AW-650: best installed bass
Best for: large decks and pool areas where you want to feel the music.
Tom’s Guide says these are by far the bassiest installation speakers it has tested, with crisp treble and vocals that carry well outdoors. They’re built from UV-resistant ABS and are weatherproof, though they don’t carry an IP rating. They’re big and heavy, about 9 pounds each, so they need a sturdy wall, and a pair costs around $650 or more. Like the Polks, they need an amplifier.
Pros
- Big, satisfying bass
- Clear vocals
- Durable build
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Expensive
- No IP rating
4. Sonos Play: best Wi-Fi outdoor speaker
Best for: Sonos households and anyone who won’t run wires.
Tom’s Guide calls the Sonos Play the perfect addition to an outdoor lineup if you don’t have the space or patience for installed speakers. It fills a yard with detailed, balanced sound and good low end, runs 24 hours on a charge and is IP67 rated, which the reviewer says includes surviving the shower. It streams over Wi-Fi and switches to Bluetooth if you carry it beyond your network.
Its main drawback is price, and it needs a strong Wi-Fi signal at the far end of the yard to stream seamlessly. An outdoor mesh Wi-Fi node fixes that. Forbes notes the older Sonos Era 100 isn’t designed for outdoor use.
Pros
- Excellent sound
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- 24-hour battery
- IP67
Cons
- Pricey
- Needs strong Wi-Fi for streaming
Best for: people who want big Bluetooth sound that can go anywhere.
Forbes Vetted and Stuff recommend the SoundLink Max for weatherproof patio audio. It’s IP68 rated, runs about 20 hours on a charge, and floats if it ends up in the pool. It suits gatherings that move between the deck, the lawn and the beach.
Pros
- IP68, floats
- 20-hour battery
- Premium sound
Cons
- Bluetooth only
- Expensive for a portable
6. JBL Flip 6: best poolside
Best for: pool days and casual listening.
Tom’s Guide picks the Flip 6 for poolside listening. It’s IP67 rated to survive a dunk, gets about 12 hours per charge, and its rugged, compact body has a strap for carrying. Sound is rich in bass for its size but not audiophile-grade, and there’s no aux input or voice assistant.
Pros
- Survives a dunk
- Compact and rugged
- Good bass for its size
Cons
- Average sound overall
- No aux input
Wired, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
- Wired (passive) speakers like the Polk Atrium and Klipsch never lose connection or need charging, and they look built-in. You’ll need an indoor amplifier, speaker wire through an exterior wall, and possibly an electrician or AV installer.
- Wi-Fi speakers like the Sonos Play stream in high quality and join a whole-home system, but need strong Wi-Fi outside.
- Bluetooth portables are the easiest option and go anywhere. Tom’s Guide notes they generally don’t sound as good as installed or Wi-Fi speakers.
What to look for
- Weatherproofing. Tom’s Guide suggests a fully waterproof IPX7 rating or better for speakers left outside. Installed speakers should be rated for rain, UV and temperature swings.
- Placement. Mount installed speakers under eaves, angled toward where you sit, and roughly 8 to 10 feet apart.
- Size and power. Small patios need modest speakers. Large yards and pool parties benefit from bigger drivers or a subwoofer.
- Battery life. Portables typically last 15 to 20 hours.
- Neighbors. Point speakers toward your house and seating, not over the fence.
Building a backyard entertaining space
Speakers are one piece of a great outdoor setup. Pair them with comfortable outdoor sofas, a fire pit for cooler evenings and a gas grill, and the patio becomes a second living room for half the year.
FAQ
Can indoor speakers be used outside?
Not safely for long. Indoor speakers aren’t built for moisture, UV or temperature swings. Choose outdoor-rated speakers.
Do outdoor speakers need an amplifier?
Passive wired speakers like the Polk Atrium and Klipsch AW-650 do. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers have built-in amplifiers.
Can I leave outdoor speakers out all winter?
Rated installed speakers are designed to stay up year-round. Bring portable speakers inside in freezing weather to protect their batteries.
How many outdoor speakers do I need?
A stereo pair covers most patios. Larger yards may need a second pair or a zone amplifier.
The bottom line
For a polished, permanent patio setup, install a pair of Polk Atrium 4 speakers with a streaming amp, or step up to the Klipsch AW-650 for serious bass. The Sonos Play is the best wire-free option, and the Bose SoundLink Max and JBL Flip 6 cover the pool.
